The king's sudden arrival caught both Sophia and Queen Isabella off guard. The queen quickly composed herself and approached the king, her voice barely above a whisper. "She said she's not ready, my lord," Queen Isabella explained, her eyes locked on the king's.
The king's expression transformed from curiosity to shock. "What?" he thundered, his voice echoing through the room. Normally, Queen Isabella would have informed him about Sophia's reservations regarding the marriage, but she had chosen not to, hoping that Sophia would eventually come around.
The king's surprise was palpable. He had been expecting Sophia to choose a prince, not to refuse the entire idea of marriage. The guests and royal families were waiting outside, expecting a grand announcement. The king's face turned red with annoyance and embarrassment.
Sophia, sensing her moment, stepped forward. "Your Highness, please... I'm not ready. I don't want to marry any of the princes," she said, her voice firm but trembling slightly.
The king's expression turned incredulous. "What do you mean? The guests are outside waiting for you to choose a prince, and tomorrow is the final wedding ceremony!" he exclaimed, his voice rising in annoyance.
Sophia took a deep breath and stood her ground. "I mean it, Father. I will not marry anyone I don't love. And if you insist I marry now... I'll kill myself," Sophia said, her voice barely above a whisper.
The room fell silent. Both the king and queen shouted in surprise, their voices echoing off the walls. "What? Sophia, how could you say such a thing?" the queen exclaimed, her face pale with shock.
The king's face turned purple with rage. "You will do as you're told, Sophia! You will marry one of those princes, and you will do it tomorrow!" he thundered, his voice making the room tremble.
Sophia's voice rang out loud and clear, her words echoing off the stone walls. "No, I won't, Father!" she exclaimed, her eyes flashing with determination. She had been bottling up her feelings for too long, and now that the situation had reached a boiling point, she refused to back down.
The king's face turned ashen, his eyes wide with shock. This was the first time Sophia had ever disobeyed him, and he couldn't believe his ears. Sophia had always been his most obedient daughter, exceling in her studies, displaying impeccable manners, and showing a keen interest in the affairs of the kingdom. But now, she was defying him, and the king felt as though he had been punched in the gut.
The king's plans for the kingdom's future hinged on Sophia's marriage to one of the princes. Without this alliance, the kingdom's economy would suffer, and their military would be weakened. The king's mind reeled as he struggled to comprehend the consequences of Sophia's refusal.
As he turned to leave, his voice was laced with a mixture of anger and disappointment. "You are leaving this castle tomorrow," he said, his words dripping with finality. He didn't elaborate, leaving Sophia and Queen Isabella to wonder what he meant.
Sophia's eyes widened in alarm as she exchanged a worried glance with her mother. What did the king's words mean? Was she being banished from the kingdom? Sent away to marry some stranger? The uncertainty hung in the air like a challenge, leaving Sophia feeling frightened and alone.